2025 Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race Start

2025 Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race © Lexi Pline Photography

The 2025 Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race got under way yesterday with perfect sailing conditions and a steady south-westerly breeze- a welcome contrast to the wet and wild weather of 2023.

With 45 boats on the line and five starts throughout the day, the harbor was alive with energy, excitement, and the vibrant colors of spinnakers unfurling as boats turned toward Halifax. From seasoned offshore veterans to family crews and youth teams, this years fleet represents a beautiful mix of experience, spirit, and competition.

Watch the start video:

Highlights from the starting line:

• The first start featured our cruising classes (PHRF Cruising and Cruising Spinnaker)- a beautiful mix of classic and modern yachts. Notables include Legacy 5, an Alden 54 ketch; Stormy Weather, a Swan 44; and Arian, a double- handed Bermuda 40 bravely taking on the 361-mile course with just two crew aboard.

• The PHRF Racing class was second off the line, led by veteran racer William Greenwood aboard Airborne 4. Good Friday, a C&C 32, is this year's smallest boat- proof that big races aren't just for big boats.

• The ORR4 and ORR3 fleets brought tight competition, with neck- and- neck starts and even a bit of drama. Extra Mile got squeezed out at the line by Blitzen, but quickly regrouped- there's still plenty of race to recover. Zigzag, Orion, and Rampage are just a few of the speedsters to watch in this division.

• The ORR2 class brought high performance and high spirit. Highlights include Crazy Horse, a youth offshore team out of New Bedford, and the always competitive Oakcliff Blue and Overdraft. With multiple Class 40s in the mix, this fleet will be flying if the breeze holds.

• The final start of the day- ORR1- delivered fireworks. Massive boats like Temptation (JV66 with 20 crew, including Dawn Riley and Gary Jobson), Wahoo (US Naval Academy's entry), and Redwood (Oakcliff's Ker 50) Showed just how tight and tactical offshore starts can be. With just inches between hulls, the battle for clean air was real.

As boats rounded the second mark off Marblehead Neck and hoisted their kites, the race officially transitioned from inshore action to offshore challenge. The fleet is now making its way east toward Nova Scotia, reaching in 15-20 knots of breeze- a fast, fun ride for most.

Track the fleet here

2025 Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race - photo © Lexi Pline Photography

What's ahead:

The wind is forecasted to hold for the first 48 hours, making for quick early miles. But by midweek, a developing low could slow the back of the fleet with light and shifty conditions near Cape Sable. Tides and tactics will matter as boats approach the finish.

We're tracking every boat on the course and will be back with updates as the race unfolds. In the meantime, you can follow along here.